Middlesbrough have leapt into pole position in the race to land Manchester United target Diego Forlan - after agreeing a fee with the Uruguayan's Argentine club.

Forlan had seemed destined for Old Trafford as Andy Cole's replacement.

But according to sources in Argentina, Boro reached agreement on £6.9 million fee with the 22-year-old's employers - Independiente - on Friday.

Club secretary Andres Ducatenzeller and vice president Hugo Tortonese are due on Teesside this week to rubber stamp the deal.

And Forlan's agents Daniel Bolotnikoss and Marcos Franchi will join them to finalise personal terms.

"The negotiations between the two clubs are nearing an end," a spokesman for Independiente confirmed.

However, Boro still face competition from Manchester United who are continuing to track a player who has previously attracted interest from Real Betis and Lazio.

And finalising a deal for the Montevideo-born player could yet prove tricky.

Like many South American stars, Forlan's registration is shared, with his club holding 60 per cent and a consortium of businessmen owning the remainder.

But with Alen Boksic absent from Boro's 2-1 defeat at Fulham yesterday and top target Dwight Yorke stalling on a move to Teesside, Riverside boss Steve McClaren will ensure any obstacles are overcome in a bid to get his man.

Boro are desperate for new striking power after scoring just four goals in the last 10 games.

Forlan's eight goals in 12 games in the Argentine League this season suggests he could be the answer to the Teessiders' chronic goalscoring problem.